Pine View Tower Trailhead

The Ozark climate is mild enough to make Wilderness visits feasible throughout the year, as long as visitors bring proper gear. When possible, take advantage of this opportunity and plan your 'visit outside the peak spring and fall use seasons.

Private Property – Piney Creek Wilderness is surrounded by private property. Please respect the rights and property of private landowners.

Safety Information

Wilderness has inherent dangers, and is a primitive setting where you meet nature on its own terms.

• Bring a map and compass, and first aid kit.
• During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures.
• Be advised of hunting seasons.
• Avoid using the trail during excessively wet periods.
• Be sure to tell someone your plans,
• don’t hike the wilderness alone and
• carry extra supplies so you are prepared to take care of yourself in case you get lost, injured, or delayed.
• The universal distress signal is three of anything: shots, shouts, smokes, whistles.
• Be prepared to sanitize water for drinking

For more safety tips visit the Safety section of the website.

Camping

There are self-registration stations at each wilderness trailhead entrance. Overnight and day use visitors are requested to register.

Protect the solitude; seek out campsites in the Wilderness that are out of sight and sound of trails and other camps. When sharing an area keep a low profile and maintain the solitude.

Pine View Tower Trailhead

There are 3 primitive campsites with picnic tables and fire rings.

Wilderness Camping

Dispersed camping is the term used for free camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground.

Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, no structures, no trash cans, no treated water, and no fire grates.

There are extra responsibilities required for this type of camp. It's a must to educate yourself before you try it, but we hope the adventure of dispersed camping in the Mark Twain National Forest calls to you!